Ive read quite a few posts on this subject here, and I realize the carrier might be weakened, the tires will wear faster, and the thing will chirp in a tight turn.

BUt will 35 inch tires, amc360/T18/20 and a HD amc20 with 4.56 from a wagoneer survive some street time?

it wont be daily driver, but I want to drive it around some.


will the traction of blacktop, and the axle shaft thats trying to chirp the inside tire hold up?

I can live with shortened life, but not like instant breakage, I need it to last a time period that could be measured in years!

thanks, for any info, any opinions, and any REAL LIFE axles snapped on the street sith welded/spool stories.

I havent snapped my rear but that doesnt mean it wont. Unless you are running 60's with 35" tires then you had better be prepared for snappage.

there's a guy over at www.ifsja.org who runs 38" hawgs with a welded AMC20. he does occasional street runs, and hasn't broken it yet. your AMC20 is probly stronger than you think ;)

have faith in the 20, even if the CJ guys don't! lol :D

just what I had hoped to hear!


Ive run one for a long time in a widetrack cherokee with 360/auto and 33 inch tires, just not welded or locked.

I never had any problem with it like that, just want to make sure that im not screwing up, Ill finish welding it now!

thanks guys!

who is the guy at IFSJA? I was on that list for years until I sold the FSJ and aquired the CJ

I run a welded Scout D44 rear and I flat tow my CJ hundreds of miles a year. I've been good with axles, but I have stripped all the teeth off the spider gears. I don't think that welded rear will weaken the carrier, as you should only be welding the gears. I think the gears will give out first (IMO) and then its time for a mini spool or a Lock-right (which replace the spider gears)

Just my thoughts.......

i have broke two rear axles with my welded rear on my samurai. but i would have broke them with a locker also. so it really just goes to show zuk axles suck with 33s. i have a welded rear in my 88 fj62 with 38s on it and have yet to hurt a axle, but they have some thick axles. just do it and enjoy the things you will be able to crawl up. mike